It is time to sign up for vegetable co-ops here in the Lowcountry!
What’s a co-op? Co-ops or CSA’s are a way to buy produce upfront from a local farm or farmers. It provides money upfront to the farmer to help them through the season and it provides fresh, local, in season produce to your family for the weeks to come!
Here are the top 5 reasons I love receiving a weekly veggie box:
- It forces us to eat healthier.
Yes, each week you get a ton of fresh vegetables and fruit. You can either eat them, freeze them, or let them go bad. I paid for them, so you’d better believe I’m doing everything in my power to stop them from getting thrown out! And freezing works, but it takes effort – so that means we are eating them! I can definitely tell the difference in our eating habits when it’s coop time and it is all for the better.
- It introduces us to new foods.
I have gotten veggies that I’ve had to google to learn what they are. I think that’s awesome! It also breaks us out of our food rut when I have to figure out what to do with them and how to cook them!
- It’s a great deal.
Being part of a veggie co-op gives you a lot of bang for your buck. In my experience, it gives way more food than you can buy for the same amount of money at the store.
- It answers the “what’s for dinner” question.
As in, “What’s for dinner?” Answer: The 10 zucchini squash that are in the bottom drawer of the fridge and are going to go bad if we don’t eat them. Decision done.
- It’s great to support local farmers.
The produce is super fresh and seasonal. Frequently, the farms pick the produce that goes in the veggie boxes only a day or two before it makes it to your family! These smaller farms also tend to try to use less chemicals and they are invested in what happens in our community because they are a part of it as well!
Interested? Here are some local co-ops in our area. They either have local pick up locations or deliver right to your house. They don’t all deliver to all areas of Beaufort county, so make sure you pick the right one for you!
- Pinckney’s Produce
http://pinckneysproduce.com/
Customers can sign up for 4-week mini-sessions or the full 12-weeks. 4 sizes available.
Produce is grown at their local farm, Rest Park Farm, in Beaufort. They have pickup sites in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head.
- Gruber Family CSA Farm
https://gruber-csa-farm.com/
Customers sign up for a 12-week CSA. 3 size options available.
Produce is grown at Gruber Farm, near St. George, SC. They have drop-off sites in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head.
- Local Farmbag - Savannah
http://www.localfarmbag.com/
A commitment to a weekly or every other week delivery. 4 size options.
Delivers to homes in Hilton Head and Bluffton from a variety of farms in GA, SC, and FL. Has extra add-on options like bread, beef, and dairy.
- Silo – Sea Islands Local Outlet (REOPENING SOON)
http://www.silo-beaufort.com/
This option has a different format as it is not a preselected box.
Silo connects buyers with a variety of local farms. Weekly orders can be selected and picked up at the storefront in Habersham. Other food and non-food items are also available.
